As any reader of this blog knows, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Central District of Illinois is active and always looking to make headlines. Indeed, a quick search online shows they seem to love their press releases. And, this was for two Illinoisans. The firearm indictment On October 19, 2021, the Federal Grand Jury indicted…
Continue reading ›Articles Posted in Weapons Offenses Defense
Weapons offenses can be significant criminal charges and can carry significant penalties for accused individuals. For accused individuals facing gun charges, they should be familiar with the criminal defense options they may have. Examples of weapons charges There are a variety of different types of weapons charges accused individuals can be facing including: Certain individuals,…
Continue reading ›The right to own a firearm is a guarantee in the U.S. Constitution, but if you have a felony charge on your criminal record, you lose that right. According to FindLaw, convicted felons in Illinois cannot own or have in their possession any type of firearm. In addition, you cannot own or possess ammunition for…
Continue reading ›Illinois law requires residents who wish to own weapons to apply for a Firearm Owners Identification card. Law enforcement officials may, however, rescind an individual’s FOID card for a variety of reasons, including domestic violence or mental health issues. As noted by The Chicago Tribune, Illinois does not have a reliable method to determine whether…
Continue reading ›Last Reviewed & Updated: October 2, 2026 By: W. Scott Hanken | Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & Weapons Offenses Defense Attorney | Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s Choice | Springfield, IL | Sangamon County | (217) 544-4057 | hankenlaw.com In Illinois, you need…
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